Standard food processor attachments are blades and discs that perform different functions such as chopping, slicing, shredding, pureeing, and kneading. They are usually interchangeable and can be attached to the food processor’s motor base. In this article, we will explore the most common types of food processor attachments, their uses, and how to choose the best ones for your needs.
Blades are the most basic and essential attachments for food processors. They are usually made of stainless steel and have sharp edges that cut through food. There are two main types of blades: S-shaped and dough.
S-shaped blade
The S-shaped blade, also known as the sabatier blade, is the standard blade that comes with most food processors. It has two curved blades that form an S shape and rotate around a central shaft. The S-shaped blade is ideal for chopping, mincing, mixing, and pureeing food. It can handle a variety of ingredients, such as onions, garlic, herbs, nuts, cheese, meat, and fruits. The S-shaped blade can also make smooth sauces, dips, pesto, hummus, and nut butters.
To use the S-shaped blade, you need to place the food in the food processor bowl and pulse or run the machine until you reach the desired consistency. You can adjust the speed and time of the processing depending on the type and size of the food. For example, if you want to chop nuts, you can use a low speed and short pulses. If you want to puree tomatoes, you can use a high speed and longer processing time.
Dough blade
The dough blade, also known as the kneading blade, is a special blade that is designed for making dough. It has a blunt edge and a plastic or metal paddle that helps to knead the dough. The dough blade is ideal for making bread, pizza, pasta, pastry, and cookie dough. It can also be used to mix heavy batters, such as cake and muffin batter.
To use the dough blade, you need to place the flour and other dry ingredients in the food processor bowl and pulse to combine. Then, you need to add the liquid ingredients, such as water, milk, eggs, and oil, and run the machine until a ball of dough forms. You can then transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it by hand until smooth and elastic.
Discs
Discs are another type of attachments for food processors. They are usually made of metal and have holes or slots that create different shapes and sizes of food. They are attached to a stem that fits into the food processor’s motor base. There are three main types of discs: slicing, shredding, and grating.
Slicing disc
The slicing disc, also known as the mandoline disc, is a disc that has a single blade that cuts food into thin slices. The slicing disc is ideal for slicing vegetables, fruits, cheese, and meat. It can also be used to make potato chips, cucumber salad, apple pie, and cheese platters.
To use the slicing disc, you need to place the food in the food processor’s feed tube and push it down with the food pusher. The food will then be sliced by the disc and fall into the food processor bowl. You can adjust the thickness of the slices by changing the disc or the pressure of the food pusher. For example, if you want to slice potatoes thinly, you can use a fine slicing disc and apply light pressure. If you want to slice carrots thickly, you can use a coarse slicing disc and apply more pressure.
Shredding disc
The shredding disc, also known as the julienne disc, is a disc that has multiple blades that cut food into thin strips. The shredding disc is ideal for shredding vegetables, fruits, cheese, and meat. It can also be used to make coleslaw, carrot cake, hash browns, and cheese sandwiches.
To use the shredding disc, you need to place the food in the food processor’s feed tube and push it down with the food pusher. The food will then be shredded by the disc and fall into the food processor bowl. You can adjust the size of the shreds by changing the disc or the pressure of the food pusher. For example, if you want to shred cabbage finely, you can use a fine shredding disc and apply light pressure. If you want to shred cheese coarsely, you can use a coarse shredding disc and apply more pressure.
Grating disc
The grating disc, also known as the rasping disc, is a disc that has small holes that grate food into fine particles. The grating disc is ideal for grating hard foods, such as cheese, chocolate, nuts, and spices. It can also be used to make breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and ginger.
To use the grating disc, you need to place the food in the food processor’s feed tube and push it down with the food pusher. The food will then be grated by the disc and fall into the food processor bowl. You can adjust the fineness of the grates by changing the disc or the pressure of the food pusher. For example, if you want to grate cheese finely, you can use a fine grating disc and apply light pressure. If you want to grate chocolate coarsely, you can use a coarse grating disc and apply more pressure.
How to choose the best food processor attachments
The best food processor attachments are the ones that suit your needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when choosing food processor attachments:
The size and capacity of your food processor. You need to make sure that the attachments fit your food processor’s motor base and bowl. You also need to consider how much food you want to process at a time and choose the attachments accordingly.
The type and frequency of your cooking. You need to think about what kind of food you want to prepare and how often you use your food processor. You can then choose the attachments that match your cooking style and needs. For example, if you like to make soups and sauces, you might want to invest in an S-shaped blade. If you like to bake bread and cakes, you might want to invest in a dough blade. If you like to make salads and snacks, you might want to invest in slicing, shredding, and grating discs.
The quality and durability of the attachments. You need to look for attachments that are made of sturdy and rust-resistant materials, such as stainless steel. You also need to look for attachments that are easy to clean and store. You can check the reviews and ratings of the attachments online or ask for recommendations from other users.
Food processor attachments are blades and discs that perform different functions such as chopping, slicing, shredding, pureeing, and kneading. They can help you save time and effort in the kitchen and create various dishes and recipes. The most common types of food processor attachments are S-shaped blade, dough blade, slicing disc, shredding disc, and grating disc. To choose the best food processor attachments, you need to consider the size and capacity of your food processor, the type and frequency of your cooking, and the quality and durability of the attachments. We hope this article has helped you understand what are standard food processor attachments and how to use them. Happy cooking!
